Truck camper for Toyota Tundra

[Glacierman]

I have a 2010 Toyota Tundra with tow/haul package(tow rate 10,000lbs. don't know haul weight), I tow a 25' travel trailer. Would like to here from owners of Tundra's that have a truck camper for there truck, etc. what model, weight, make.
Thanks Much
Glacierman

[bikerdib]

Lance probably gives the 1870 as the base (no fridge, no water, no propane); basically just the shell finished inside. I guess one main point is, don't believe the manufacturer's truck recommendations. Like I said, Lance claims a heavy half ton could haul the camper I have and it probably could if you just use the shell. But if a Tundra's capacity is 1500, it would still be overweight. Do some research first and find out the true weight of the camper and match the truck to that. Or if you already have a truck, be sure and know the true weight of the camper you intend to get.

[Geewizard]

bikerdib wrote:
I'm not sure where you got the 1870 figure or what it includes but the tag says 2044 which includes 36 gallons of water, 3 cubic foot fridge, and 20 lbs of propane. Then you have to add:
3 burner range. 44 lbs
AC. 98
Door awning. 46
Battery. 53
Dual pane windows. 21
Electric jacks. 53
The above weights are from a sheet from Lance that came with the camper.
Plus the few items I usually leave in the camper (3 water hoses, small broom, waste dump hose, 2 foot rugs, bedding, flashlights and a few other items) probably add another 50 or 60 lbs.

That puts it around 2400 lbs. And that doesn't include clothes, food, fishing gear and any other camping gear I may decide to take.

I was wrong about the weigh. Still, I wouldn't put a 2400 lb camper on my Tundra. Nor should anyone. The safest thing to do is have a bigger pickup, for sure.

[bikerdib]

I'm not sure where you got the 1870 figure or what it includes but the tag says 2044 which includes 36 gallons of water, 3 cubic foot fridge, and 20 lbs of propane. Then you have to add:
3 burner range. 44 lbs
AC. 98
Door awning. 46
Battery. 53
Dual pane windows. 21
Electric jacks. 53
The above weights are from a sheet from Lance that came with the camper.
Plus the few items I usually leave in the camper (3 water hoses, small broom, waste dump hose, 2 foot rugs, bedding, flashlights and a few other items) probably add another 50 or 60 lbs.

That puts it around 2400 lbs. And that doesn't include clothes, food, fishing gear and any other camping gear I may decide to take.

[Geewizard]

bikerdib wrote:
In my case I stand by my statement above because I have in a way DONE IT and I am not just assuming things. Like I said, I have never personally owned a Toy but I have a friend that has both a 2011 Tundra and an older Tacoma. He was thinking about getting a slide in camper since he fishes a lot and his son is now old enough to go on fishing trips with him. He asked if he could try loading my Lance on his Tundra. He was another one that had heard the Toyota spiel that the Tundra is built the same as a 3/4 ton truck even though it is classed as a 1/2 ton.

He come over to my house and we got him lined up and backed under my camper. I proceeded to lower the camper. Before I had the full weight of the camper on the truck he called it off because he didn't like the way the truck was squatting.

Don't get me wrong, this is no different than the people that have campers that really NEED a 1 ton but haul it on a 3/4 ton. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if you do decide to get a slide in, make SURE the camper you get is a true light weight camper or you may regret the purchase.

I'm curious what your Lance weighs. The Lance website says the basic 865 weighs 1870 lbs. And you've added AC, range with oven, etcetera. If it's as heavy as I think it is, I'd also call off putting it on my Tundra like your friend did.

Obviously, a person has to match the camper to the truck. And this is what I did when I bought my Outfitter Apex 8 for my Tundra. Yes, I'm over the published payload of my Tundra when the camper is on. And I'm ok with that. Others may not be.

[hedgehopper]

We have a 2003 Tundra with a 2004 Phoenix popup. The Tundra payload is about 1500 lbs and the Phoenix is about 1000 lbs dry. Last time I looked, the newer Tundras had about the same payload as ours. So if you want maximum living space, your travel trailer is a better choice than a truck camper.

We wanted a small footprint and maximum maneuverability. That's why we chose the Phoenix. So unless those are your priorities, you're better off with what you have.

What the comparison boils down to is this: a pickup can comfortably tow much more weight (and space) than it can carry.

[bikerdib]

In my case I stand by my statement above because I have in a way DONE IT and I am not just assuming things. Like I said, I have never personally owned a Toy but I have a friend that has both a 2011 Tundra and an older Tacoma. He was thinking about getting a slide in camper since he fishes a lot and his son is now old enough to go on fishing trips with him. He asked if he could try loading my Lance on his Tundra. He was another one that had heard the Toyota spiel that the Tundra is built the same as a 3/4 ton truck even though it is classed as a 1/2 ton.

He come over to my house and we got him lined up and backed under my camper. I proceeded to lower the camper. Before I had the full weight of the camper on the truck he called it off because he didn't like the way the truck was squatting.

Don't get me wrong, this is no different than the people that have campers that really NEED a 1 ton but haul it on a 3/4 ton. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if you do decide to get a slide in, make SURE the camper you get is a true light weight camper or you may regret the purchase.

[Geewizard]

From someone who has actually DONE IT.....rather than talk about it and assume things:

I've been VERY happy with my setup. Not one regret since 2004 and 86,000 miles.

[Glacierman]

A BIG THANKS to You folks!!!!!! I think I'll stay with my 25 footer TT.
Glacierman

[kknowlton]

As someone on here once said about the Tundra, "more engine than truck." Having owned one for 7 years now, I fully agree. It's great for towing (as long as you stay within the weights) but since the rear of the truck has a lighter frame construction than the front, it's just not made for large payload. There are some very basic truck campers - more like tent campers that fit in a truck bed - that would work, but somehow I have a feeling you're not looking for that.

[More2Explore]

Former owner of a 2007 Tundra here! Hauled a 2007 Hallmark Milner on my Tundra. Added Firestone ride rite airbags. It was a great combination for just me but I was always watching the weight limit as the camper takes away most of the available payload. It was a 4X2 just cause I wanted the extra payload. I highly recommend you take your truck to the scales and get it weighed and then subtract that from the GVWR posted on the sticker in the drivers door jamb. the weight that is left will tell you how much camper, gear and passengers you can carry. another poster above put a link to Truck Camper Magazines guide.....I recommend that you check that out......I can't tell you how many different campers and truck combinations I built with their info before I started building my new rig.

[bikerdib]

Listen to what these people are telling you. No, I mean REALLY listen. I have never owned a Toyota (just never purchased one, close but never did). I know there have been claims that the Tundra is built on a 3/4 ton frame and all the other blah, blah Toyota puts out there but I beg to differ.

Now I'll add my experience. About 8 months or so ago I decided to upgrade from my '06 Ram 1/2 ton Hemi to a 3/4 ton Ram Cummins to have a better tow vehicle to pull my tractor on the trailer. A month or so later I decided that since I now have a heavier duty truck I'd invest in a slide in camper. I went to the camper dealer and looked at several campers then decided to get a Lance 865. They say a heavy duty 1/2 ton can haul this camper. Ha, Ha, Ha,!!! I installed Supersprings, Timbren bump stops, Rancho 9000 shocks and aRoadmaster rear anti-sway bar. The truck seemed to handle the camper pretty well but had more side to side sway than I expected. This had me concerned since I had planned on pulling a trailer with either 2 three person PWCs or a trailer with 2 street motorcycles. Then one day I went and had the truck weighed with the camper in but no camping gear, water, food, clothes or anything else that I would want to take on an outing. I found out that even without all the stuff I'd take along I was already over the door sticker GVWR by 800 pounds. Not long after that, I traded in the 2500 for a 3500 SRW Cummins.

You can almost never have too much truck but you can definitely have too little.

Listen to what everyone is telling you.

[dadwolf2]

What kind of ammenities do you expect or want? Ability to tow 10k and haul payload are totally different animals.

Hallmark K2 or Four Wheel Campers you might looks at.

[Eycom]

Just between me, you and a fence post... unless you have a specific reason to downsize, I'd keep towing that 25' TT with the Tundra. An 11 1/2' TC w/slide and dry bath on a F-350 dually can get pretty small with time. Easy to maneuver and park in most places, but still on the small side for livability and comfort. You live out of a TC, not in it.

[MudTJ]

Something on here may be worthwhile to you:
http://www.northstarcampers.com/online-catalog.php?headerbar=0&view=prods&parentId=11&catId=12